Summary: complacency leads to destruction

In the mid 1800’s their were two trappers that had been trapping muskrat and beaver all summer and fall. They had been working their traps in the Cumberland Plateau area of Tennessee. With their packs full of furs and winter coming soon they made their way back to the river, where they had left their canoes hidden. It was a beautiful Indian Summer day when they finally reached the river. The two trappers, Big John and little Joe loaded their packs in the canoes and were soon paddling back up stream towards their cabins in Kentucky. After 3 hour of paddling Big John wanted to rest, but little Joe anxious to be with his family decided to go on.

It was a warm lazy day, so Big John relaxed and took a nap. He was afraid that some wild animal might attack him if he was close to the shore, so he just let the canoe drift back downstream.

Big John thought that if he slept for just a little while, he would be refreshed, he could always make up the distance he lost as he drifted back downstream.

Mean while Little Joe kept on paddling, getting closer home with each stroke of the paddle.

After a three-hour nap, Big John woke up and began to paddle furiously to make up the lost time. After paddling for two hours, Big John was almost back where he started, but he was exhausted.

Big John decided he needed a little more rest. Tired and worn out John closed his eyes, just to rest for a little while. Soon he was drifting back down stream again.

Mean while Little Joe is still paddling along, sure he’s worn out, but the safety of home are just around the corner. As he paddles the canoe toward home, he’s determined to make it all the way home today. Soon he sees the lights of home and smells the odor of beans and bread cooking. Thank God, he’s safely home at last.

Back to Big John, the first sign of trouble is that the canoe is rocking. Big John wakes up startled; he is caught in the worst rapids he has ever seen. John begins to paddle with all his strength; Big John has always relied on his power and might all of his life, but instead of going forward the canoe is still going backwards. The harder John paddles the faster the canoe travels in the wrong direction. John’s eyes catches the glimpse of a sign on the bank, it says "Point of no Return" Johns drifting has led him to the place of his doom. Terror fills his eyes as the canoe falls over the water falls.

In our Christian walk we can keep going until we receive the prize that God promises us, or we can get lazy and drift our way into destruction.

Text: Continuing Toward Our Goal

12 I do not mean that I am already as God wants me to be. I have not yet reached that goal, but I continue trying to reach it and to make it mine. Christ wants me to do that, which is the reason he made me his. 13 Brothers and sisters, I know that I have not yet reached that goal, but there is one thing I always do. Forgetting the past and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I keep trying to reach the goal and get the prize for which God called me through Christ to the life above.